Southeast Nanotechnology Innovator raises £225,000
e-ZINE issue 1
Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub company Polymertronics, a nanotechnology start-up, secured £225,000 of investment earlier this year - combining £150,000 from a business angel and £75,000 from a prestigious Research and Development Grant. Polymertronics was introduced to its new investor by Thames Valley Investment Network (TVIN), a business angel investment network specialising in helping growing companies to raise funding.
Polymertronics is a technology enabler for bespoke organic (carbon-based polymers) light emitting diode (OLED) electronics. The company provides polymer and electronic reference design solutions for controlling OLEDs. OLEDs, touch sensors and standard colour graphics can be printed on a single UV inkjet printer platform. The solutions provided are the chemical formulae and electronic circuit schematics for OLED technology.
OLEDs are a flat display technology, made by placing a series of organic-polymer thin films between two conductors. When a voltage is applied across the conductors, a light is emitted. The unique selling points of the technology are that it serves the market for bespoke requirements and that it has a production time measurable in minutes, as opposed to 4-8 weeks for some alternative applications.
Polymertronics’ OLEDs are flexible devices which are printed using inkjet printers, then instantly cured by irradiating them with ultra-violet (UV) light. The advantage is that bespoke devices may be any shape required, and the technology can be retrofitted (patent pending) to most existing industrial printing platforms.
Polymertronics owns two patent applications; one for the process of inkjet printing and UV curing and a second for the OLED polymer. The patents are designed to work together to deliver a complete reference design solution to manufacturing OLEDs.
In May, Polymertronics won The Best New Technology Company award at the Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007 at Oxford University’s Said Business School. The recognition was for the company’s vision and one of its (patent pending) applications to revolutionise advertising.
Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub helped Polymertronics through its successful application for a SEEDA R&D Grant under the guidance of Hub Director, Dr John Lee. Polymertronics’ Managing Director, Stephen Clemmet, said: "John was an inspiration throughout the grant process. He worked at our pace, reviewing our material and identifying appropriate funding options. We look forward to continuing to work with John as Polymertronics progresses."
Polymertronics plan for 2008-9 is to advance its OLED technology, develop a desktop UV inkjet printer and design reference control electronics. The company also anticipates working with leading international companies to develop new organic technology opportunities.
For more details contact Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub on 01869 238 088 or email
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Author: SEEDA
Created Date: 05-12-2007
